One can sometimes observe rectangle pads in the corners of some IC's footprints:
What are they for?
IC Corner Pads – Understanding Footprint and Pad Placement in TQFP
footprintpadstqfp
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Best Answer
They are there to allow for wave soldering. As the solder flows on the legs, any excess can end up on those pads, not shorting out the pins of the IC.